The Glasshouse

• The Unthanks, Artistic Partners of The Glasshouse and one of the North East’s most distinctive folk outfits, take part in Folkworks Youth and Junior Summer Schools, leading harmony workshops with young people.
• Folkworks has been at the heart of folk music education in the North East for over thirty years, helping generations of musicians discover traditional music in an open and creative environment.
• Folkworks Summer Schools again offer a week of music-making, creativity and confidence-building for young people, with Youth (10-14 August 2026) and Junior (12-14 August 2026) programmes open to all levels – no folk background needed.
• Folkworks Summer Sessions returns for adults (5-7 August 2026), offering a relaxed, festival style learning experience for musicians and singers.
• Applications close Monday 6 July. Find out more via https://theglasshouseicm.org/seasons/folkworks/

Folkworks Summer returns in August 2026, bringing people together to play, learn and make music – and this year it does so with one of the North East’s most distinctive folk voices at its heart. The Unthanks will take part in the Folkworks Youth and Junior Summer Schools, working directly with young musicians as part of the programme.

Folkworks has been bringing generations of musicians together in the North East for decades, creating opportunities for people to learn from each other through traditional music. As Artistic Partners of The Glasshouse, The Unthanks’ involvement in Folkworks Summer continues that tradition, giving young people the chance to learn directly from artists whose work is rooted in traditional song, collective music-making and a connection to the North East. Rachel Unthank herself took part in Folkworks Summer Schools as a young musician, making this year’s involvement feel especially meaningful. On Thursday 13 August, Rachel and Becky Unthank and Niopha Keegan will spend the day with participants, leading harmony singing workshops for both Junior and Youth groups before giving an acoustic performance in the Hall Room at 7.15pm.

Across the afternoon, Rachel, Becky and Niopha will run a harmony singing workshop for Junior participants from 2–3pm, followed by a Youth workshop from 3.15–4.15pm, sharing their approach to voice, blend and storytelling in a supportive, hands‑on setting. The evening performance offers a rare opportunity for Summer School participants to experience The Unthanks’ music up close, in an intimate space that reflects the spirit of Folkworks itself.

Rachel Unthank said: “Folkworks Summer School was so important in helping me shape the musician I am today. Not only did I receive expert tuition, but I also met other young people with a shared love of folk music, friends that I still play music with today. Come and make friends, play music and have fun!”

Folkworks Summer Schools offer a week of music‑making, creativity and confidence‑building for young people, with Youth (10-14 August) and Junior (12-14 August) programmes open  to musicians of all levels – no folk background required. At the heart of the experience is learning by doing: sharing tunes and songs, playing together in groups, trying new ideas and building friendships in a welcoming, encouraging environment.

The 2026 Summer Schools are led by Music Director Grace Smith, with a team of experienced tutors including cellist Alice Allen, clarinettist and vocalist Alex Lyon, fiddle and bouzouki player Jon Doran, concertina player Rob Harbron, and acclaimed fiddle player, banjoist, songwriter and theatre-maker Rowan Rheingans. Together, they guide young musicians through ensemble playing, song, creativity and collaboration, continuing a long‑standing North East folk tradition while supporting the next generation of players and singers.

Alongside the young people’s programmes, Folkworks Summer Sessions return for adult musicians and singers from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 August 2026, offering a relaxed, festival‑style learning experience designed for curious musicians, returners and folk fans. Led by Music Director Dave Gray, the Summer Sessions bring together a group of respected performers, songwriters and educators including fiddle and viola player and composer Miranda Rutter, singer‑songwriter Findlay Napier, accordion player Archie Churchill‑Moss, flute player Sam Partridge, and singer, flautist and keyboard player Sarah Hayes.

Participants play together in mixed groups, explore new styles and build confidence in a supportive setting, with evening sessions continuing the social side of the experience at St Mary’s, next door to The Glasshouse.

Grace Smith, Musical Director, Folkworks Youth and Junior Summer Schools said: Folkworks Summer Schools are all about giving young people the opportunity to make music together in a creative and supportive environment. You don’t need to have played folk music before – we have an amazing team of tutors who are all brilliant educators and will introduce folk repertoire and techniques in an inclusive way; so whether it’s your first experience of folk music or it’s something you’re already playing lots of, there’ll be loads of musical ideas for you to take away from the week. Having The Unthanks involved this year is also really special. They’re really influential traditional music artists in the North East, so it’ll be a brilliant experience to learn from them and hear their music at the Summer School.”

Dave Gray, Musical Director, Folkworks Summer Sessions said: “What makes Folkworks Summer Sessions special is the atmosphere. People learning together and trying new things. It’s relaxed and open to all levels, whether you’ve been playing for years or are returning to music after some time away. There’s something really rewarding about spending a few days immersed in music with other people who love playing.”

With its strong sense of community and focus on shared music‑making, Folkworks Summer continues to bring people together across generations to learn directly from working musicians at the top of their craft.

Applications for Folkworks Summer Schools and Summer Sessions close on Monday 6 July 2026.

More information and application details can be found via https://theglasshouseicm.org/seasons/folkworks/

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